Silver and opals

           WherewasDumbledore,andwhatwashedoing?HarrycaughtsightoftheHeadmasteronlytwiceoverthenextfewweeks.Herarelyappearedatmealsanymore,andHarrywassureHermionewasrightinthinkingthathewasleavingtheschoolfordaysatatime.HadDumbledoreforgottenthelessonshewassupposedtobegivingHarry?Dumbledorehadsaidthatthelessonswereleadingtosomethingtodowiththeprophecy;Harryhadfeltbolstered,comforted,andnowhefeltslightlyabandoned.

           HalfwaythroughOctobercametheirfirsttripofthetermtoHogsmeade.Harryhadwonderedwhetherthesetripswouldstillbeallowed,giventheincreasinglytightsecuritymeasuresaroundtheschool,butwaspleasedtoknowthattheyweregoingahead;itwasalwaysgoodtogetoutofthecastlegroundsforafewhours.

           Harrywokeearlyonthemorningofthetrip,whichwasprovingstormy,andwhiledawaythetimeuntilbreakfastbyreadinghiscopyofAdvancedPotion-Making.Hedidnotusuallylieinbedreadinghistextbooks;thatsortofbehavior,asRonrightlysaid,wasindecentinanybodyexceptHermione,whowassimplyweirdthatway.Harryfelt,however,thattheHalf-BloodPrince’scopyofAdvancedPotion-Makinghardlyqualifiedasatextbook.